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Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower) Semi-desert, foothills,
montane. Disturbed areas, openings. Summer, fall. This very common Sunflower grows to 7 feet tall, four feet wide, and sports an abundance of large, bright yellow flowers on many branches. Leaves are heart-shaped and large; flower heads are usually 3-4 inches in diameter. The plant hybridizes and is quite variable. It is an annual (thus its species name) and is highly successful at reproducing itself from seed. It is very common along roadsides. "Helios" is Greek for "sun" and "anthos" for "flower". This species has been, in the words of the authors of Intermountain Flora, "cultivated since pre-Columbian times for its edible seeds...." It is now cultivated on both sides of the Atlantic. The genus and species were named by Linnaeus in 1753 from specimens collected in Peru and Mexico. |
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Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower) Semi-desert, foothills,
montane. Disturbed areas, openings. Summer, fall. The large heat-shaped leaves can be seen around the flower head. |
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Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower) Semi-desert, foothills,
montane. Disturbed areas, openings. Summer, fall. |
